US3838836A - Method and apparatus for load stabilization in heavy lift helicopters - Google Patents

Abstract

The external load produced motions in a heavy lift helicopter are stabilized by dynamically stabilizing the load. A three-point suspension system is used to support the load with each of the points being individually movable in response to sensed conditions of the relative motions of the load and helicopter.

Description

United States Patent i1 1 [111 3,838,836 Asseo et al. Oct. 1, I974 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOAD 3,510,107 5/1970 Fidler 244/137 STABILIZATION IN HEAVY LIFT 3,656,796 4/1972 Cook 294/74 HELICOPTERS Inventors: Sabi J. Asseo, Depew; Richard F.

Whitbeck, Williamsville, both of NY.

Assignee: Calspan Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y.

Filed: Aug. 8, 1973 App]. No.: 386,809

US. Cl 244/137 R Int. Cl B64d 9/00 Field of Search... 244/137 R, 118 R, 2, DIG. 2;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1967 Carlson 294/81 R Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant ExaminerSherman D. lBasinger Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allen J Jaffe The external load produced motions in a heavy lift helicopter are stabilized by dynamically stabilizing the load. A three-point suspension system is used to support the load with each of the points being individually movable in response to sensed conditions of the relative motions of the load and helicopter.

ABSTRACT 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures MENIED I914 3.838.836 sum 1w 5 llllll Ill IIIIIIIHIIHIIII 75 w PATENTEU I 374 SHEET 2 BF 3' ,mm jomkzOo 102:5

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SHEEFEMF 3 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOAD STABILIZATION IN HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS The cruising speeds of helicopters transporting externally slung, low density and high drag loads are severely restricted by dangerous load oscillations which have, on occasion, resulted in emergency load jettison and in collisions between the loads and the helicopters. These load oscillations are usually caused by a directional instability of the load which produces periodic yawing which, in turn, excites lateral swinging along with drag variations that ultimately result in a longitudinal pendulum motion.

A single cable suspension system restricts the vertical motion of the load relative to the helicopter. Two longitudinally displaced cables restrict the pitch motion of the load in addition to the vertical motion while three longitudinally and laterally displaced cables restrict the roll motion in addition to the pitch and vertical motions. Hence the total degrees of freedom of the helicopter for one, two and three fixed cables are 11, 10 and 9, respectively. In contrast, a helicopter equipped with winches placed at the corners of an isoceles triangle at the bottom of the helicopter structure, according to this invention, has 12 degrees of freedom, since the load is free to move in 6 degrees of freedom relative to the helicopter. Moving all of the winches in unison raises or lowers the load while differentially moving the fore and aft winches changes the load pitch attitude. Yaw damping is introduced through the roll to yaw coupling of the load by differentially moving the left and right winches which causes the load to roll.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for stabilizing an externally slung load carried by a helicopter.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for dynamically stabilizing an externally slung load carried by a helicopter. These ob jects, and others as will become apparent hereinafter, are accomplished by the present invention.

Basically the present invention provides a method of and apparatus for load stabilization for use in a heavy lift helicopter which comprises: supporting each point of a 3-point suspension system by a winch controller means secured to the helicopter; securing a load to the 3-point suspension system; sensing the motion of the helicopter and load; and, controlling each of the winch controller means in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a pictorial representation of a helicopter employing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the triangle spreader beam system; I

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a winch controller;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the winch positioner; and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the winch controllers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a helicopter I carries a load 2 which is supported bycables 3, 4 and 5 which are connected to trianglespreader beam system 10. The trianglespreader beam system 10 is connected to helicopter I through winch-controlled cables ll, 12 and. 13.Beam system 10 keeps thecables 3, 4, 5, ll, 12 and 13 from tangling and provides a base for the mounting ofload sensor package 15.

Trianglespreader beam system 10, as best shown in FIG. 2, has a plurality ofeyebolts 18, or other conventional structure, for securingcables 3, 4, 5, ll, 12 and I3 thereto. Load sensor package 1l5 which is mounted onbeam system 10 bybrackets 19, or other conventional structure, contains an accelerometer, gyroscope. etc., for sensing the motions ofbeam system 10 and hence load 2. Signals indicative of the load motions sensed byload sensor package 15 are transmitted tocentral control system 30 by acable 16 which is preferrably played out from and wound on a drum as the load 2 is lowered and raised, respectively.

In FIG. 3,central control system 30 receives a series of inputs representing thepilot commands 20 and the motions sensed byhelicopter sensor package 28 andload sensor package 15. Thepilot commands 20 are delivered tocentral control system 30 in the form of inputs carried bylines 21, 22, 23 and 24 representing the collective, longitudinal cyclic, lateral cyclic and rudder commands, respectively.Central control system 30 blends thepilot command inputs 20 with the feedback signals received fromhelicopters sensor package 28 vialine 29 and fromload sensor package 15 viacable 16 to produce a series of control outputs that will activate the conventional helicopter controls and the winch controllers. The control outputs of thecentral control system 30 which are transmitted vialines 31, 32, 33 and 34 control the helicopter collective pitch, longitudinal cyclic, lateral cyclic and rudder, respectively. Additional control outputs are transmitted bycentral control system 30 vialines 36a, 36b, 36c, 43a, 43b, 43c and 61.

In the raise and lower mode an additional pilot command input is transmitted tocentral control system 30 via line 25 and in response theretorelay 46 is energized bycentral control system 30. Whenrelay 46 is energized, normally openswitches 41a, 41b and 41c which are located inlines 40a, 40b and 40c are closed and normally closedswitches 44a, 44b and 440 which are located inlines 43a, 43b and 430 are opened. The control signals used to raise and lower the load 2, which are transmitted vialines 36a, 36b and 36c, are supplied as first inputs tooperational amplifiers 37a, 37b and 37c. Second inputs are supplied tooperational amplifiers 37a, 37b and 37:: vialines 38a, 38b and 380 in response to the sensing of the movement of cables ll, 12 and 13 bytachometers 39a, 39b and 390 which may be mounted onwinch controllers 45a, 45b and 45c, if desired. The outputs ofoperational amplifiers 37a, 37b and 37c are transmitted towinch controllers 45a, 45b and 450 vialines 40a, 40b and 400 which contain the now closedswitches 41a, 41b and 41c. In the raise and lower mode,winch controllers 45a, 45b and 456 are operated as speed regulators since the control signals supplied tolines 36a, 36b and 36c are speed reference signals.

In the load stabilizing mode,relay 46 is not energized, and therefore switches 41a, 41b and 410 are open and switches 44a, 44b and 440 are closed. As a result, in the load stabilizing mode the control signals supplied tolines 43a, 43b and 43ccontrol winch controllers 45a, 45b and 45c individually and collectively to dynamically stabilize load 2.

Winch controller 450 is connected to the apex of the triangle spreader beam system and is positionable bywinch positioner 62 in response to a control signal supplied vialine 61 bycentral control system 30. Except for a movable mounting provided forwinch controller 45a, thewinch controllers 45a, 45b and 45c are preferably identical in operation and, hence, a description of one will be applicable to all. As shown in FIG. 4,regulator 50a is connected toline 40a and receives as an input either the output ofcomparator 37a or the reference output signal supplied toline 43a by centralcon trol system 30.Regulator 50a is connected to loadcell 52a via line 51a and receives as a second input a signal indicative of the tension incable 11 as sensed byload cell 52a. In response to input signals supplied toregulator 50a vialines 40a and 51a, regulator 500 controls themotor field 53a and thereby winchmotor 55a. The armature ofwinch motor 55a is supplied from a source of DC. current 54a. Winchmotor 55a is connected todrum 58a throughgear box 57a. Cable 11 is played out from and wound ondrum 58a in response to the activation ofwinch motor 55a and is guided by pulley 59a.

As shown in FIG. 5,regulator 62 receives the control signal supplied vialine 61 as a first input.Winch position indicator 65 senses the position ofwinch controller 45a and gives a feedback signal which is transmitted vialine 64 as a second input signal toregulator 63. In response to the input signals supplied toregulator 63 vialines 61 and 64,regulator 63 controls themotor field 68 and therebywinch positioner motor 69. The armature ofwinch positioner motor 69 is supplied from a source of DC. current 70.Winch positioner motor 69 is connected to the gearedbase 75 ofwinch controller 45a throughgear box 72.

As shown in FIG. 6, the winch controllers are identical except that thebase 75 ofwinch controller 45a is formed as a gear for engagement withgear 72 which forms a part of gear box 7 2.Winch controller 45a may,

therefore, be moved bywinch positioner motor 69 through a gear train which includes the gears ofgear box 72 and the gearedbase 75. The playing out and winding up ofcables 11 and 12 arecontrolled throughgears 57a and 57b which form a part ofgear boxes 57a and 57b, respectively. The playing out and winding up ofcable 13 will be accomplished by identical structure, not illustrated.

OPERATION In response to pilot commands and feedback signals received from thehelicopter sensor package 28 and theload sensor 15,central control system 30 produces a series of control outputs that will activate the conventional helicopter controls and the winch controllers. The control outputs of thecentral control system 30 which are transmitted vialines 31, 32, 33 and 34 control the helicopter collective pitch, longitudinal cyclic, lateral cyclic and rudder, while the control outputs transmitted via lines, 61, 43a (or 36a), 43b (or 36b) and 43c (or 36c) control the front helicopter cable attachmentpoint winch positioner 62 and the threewinch controllers 45a,45b 45and 45c, respectively. An additional pilot command input for raising and lowering the load 2 is transmittedto'central control system 30 via line 25 and causes the actuation ofrelay 46.Relay 46 controls the ganged normallyopen switches 41a, 41b and 41c and normally closedswitches 44a, 44b and 440 and thereby the control signals supplied to thewinch controllers 45a, 45b and 450.

Speed reference control signals are transmitted bycentral control system 30 vialines 36a, 36b and 360 to serve as first inputs tooperational amplifiers 37a, 37b and 370. Second input signals representing the sensed cable movement detennined bytachometers 39a, 39b and 39c are transmitted vialines 38a, 38b and 38c. Whenrelay 46 is actuated,switches 41a, 41b and 410 are closed andswitches 44a, 44b and 440 are opened and, therefore, the outputs ofoperational amplifiers 37a, 37b and 370 are transmitted vialines 40a, 40b and 406 to winch controllers a, 45b and 45c which are then controlled as speed regulators. Whenrelay 46 is not actuated, and, therefore, switches 41a, 41b and 410 are open andswitches 44a, 44b and 440 are closed, the control output signals supplied bycentral control system 30 tolines 43a, 43b and 430 are transmitted towinch controllers 45a, 45b and 45c for the selective control thereof so as to stabilize the load 2.

Becausewinch controllers 45a, 45b and 450 are identical in operation, onlywinch controller 45a will be described. A first input signal is supplied to regulator a vialine 40a and will be the output ofoperational amplifier 37a, ifrelay 46 has been actuated in response to a pilot command, and will control the raising and lowering of load 2. Ifrelay 46 has not been actuated, the control output signal supplied bycentral control system 30 toline 43a will be supplied toregulator 50a as the first input signal and will cause the stabilizing of load 2 by the selective positioning ofspreader beam system 10. The control output signal supplied vialine 43a is in response to feedback signals supplied to thecentral control system 30 byhelicopter sensor package 28 andload sensor package 15. A second input signal is supplied toregulator 50a via line 51a and represents the tension incable 11 as determined byload cell 52a.Regulator 50a controls themotor field 53a for thewinch motor 55a and thereby controls the winding and unwinding ofcable 11 to raise, lower or stabilize the load 2.

A reference output signal is supplied towinch positioner 62 vialine 61 bycentral control system 30 in response to feedback signals supplied byhelicopter sensor package 28 andload sensor package 15.Regulator 63 receives the signal supplied vialine 61 as a first input.Winch position indicator 65 supplies a second input signal indicative of the position ofwinch controller 45a vialine 64.Regulator 63 controls the motor field formotor 69 which is connected to the geared base of winch controller 450 throughgear box 72 for positioning the gearedbase 75 and thereby winch controller 45a. 7

In the practice of the present invention, the central control system can be an analog computer, analog blocks made up of RC networks and operational amplifiers or any other suitable conventional structure. The winch controllers may be dissimilar in type or operation, they may be mounted externally of the helicopter, the movement of the winch controller may take place on a track in the manner of a overhead crane or the geared portion of the winch controller base may only be a sector of a gear and/or of a noncircular configuratron.

The cable tension may be regulated by measuring the armature current which is approximately proportional to cable tension and using a tension regulator instead of a load cell. Instead of controlling the tension or armature current by motor field current, it is also possible to use a separate D.C. source for each motor. The DC. source can be a solid state amplifier or a rotating motor-generator set and the cable tension or armature current would be controlled in proportion to the motor armature voltage.

Other means for controlling the position of the winch controller include measuring the speed of the cable by a tachometer and integrating. Additionally, a DC. source can be used to control the armature voltage the same as for tension regulation.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, other changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is there fore intended that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A method of load stabilization for use in a pilot commanded heavy lift helicopter carrying an externally slung load including the steps of:

supporting each point of a 3-point suspension system by a respective one of three winch controller means secured to the helicopter;

securing a load to the 3-point suspension system;

sensing the motion of the helicopter and load;

sensing pilot command signals; and

controlling each of the winch controller means in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load and the pilot command signals, whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load under conditions tending to produce load oscillations.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of operating said winch controller means as speed regulators to raise and lower the load.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving one of said winch controller means with re spect to the helicopter in response "to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load.

4. Apparatus for load stabilization in a heavy lift helicopter comprising:

three winch controller means secured to and supported by said helicopter; a 3-point suspension system supported at each point by a respective one of said winch controller means;

means for securing a load to said 3-point suspension system;

pilot actuated helicopter control means for transmitting pilot command signals indicative of desired helicopter operation;

instrument means for sensing helicopter motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof;

instrument means for sensing load motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof;

central control means for receiving and blending the pilot command signals and the signals indicative of the helicopter motion and the load motion and, responsive thereto, transmitting control signals for controlling the flight of the helicopter and the op eration of the winch controller means whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein said central control means include means for selectively operating said winch controller means to raise or lower the load or to dynamically stabilize the load.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein said means for selectively operating said winch controller means includes a relay actuated in response to one of said pilot command signals for selectively supplying either of two sets of the control signals to the winch controller means.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said control signals.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 4 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said

Claims (8)

1. A method of load stabilization for use in a pilot commanded heavy lift helicopter carrying an externally slung load including the steps of: supporting each point of a 3-point suspension system by a respective one of three winch controller means secured to the helicopter; securing a load to the 3-point suspension system; sensing the motion of the helicopter and load; sensing pilot command signals; and controlling each of the winch controller means in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load and the pilot command signals, whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load under conditions tending to produce load oscillations.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of operating said winch controller means as speed regulators to raise and lower the load.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving one of said winch controller means with respect to the helicopter in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load.

4. Apparatus for load stabilization in a heavy lift helicopter comprising: three winch controller means secured to and supported by said helicopter; a 3-point suspension system supported at each point by a respective one of said winch controller means; means for securing a load to said 3-point suspension system; pilot actuated helicopter control means for transmitting pilot command signals indicative of desired helicopter operation; instrument means for sensing helicopter motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof; instrument means for sensing load motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof; central control means for receiving and blending the pilot command signals and the signals indicative of the helicopter motion and the load motion and, responsive thereto, transmitting control signals for controlling the flight of the helicopter and the operation of the winch controller means whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said central control means include means for selectively operating said winch controller means to raise or lower the load or to dynamically stabilize the load.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively operating said winch controller means includes a relay actuated in response to one of said pilot command signals for selectively supplying either of two sets of the control signals to the winch controller means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said control signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said control signals.

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